Tourist submarine carrying 45 people, including Indians, sinks in Egypt’s Red Sea; 6 Russians killed

(Photo:Sindbad Submarines)

Cairo: Six Russians were killed and 39 foreigners were rescued on Thursday when a tourist submarine sank in Egypt's Red Sea during a trip to the resort city of Hurghada, according to a statement by the Red Sea Governorate on its official Facebook page.

The submarine carried 45 foreigners from India, Russia, Norway, and Sweden and five Egyptian crew, the statement said.

Emergency responders dispatched 21 ambulances to the scene, transporting 23 injured passengers to five hospitals. The wounded sustained fractures and bruises, with four placed in intensive care due to critical conditions.

Meanwhile, those in stable condition have been discharged and returned to their hotels. Authorities confirmed that no passengers were missing, the statement said.

Red Sea Governorate officials said the license of the submarine, Sinbad, "was valid and the crew leader obtained the required scientific certificate." The vessel sank at its marina, located in front of a well-known hotel, according to the statement.

Investigations are currently underway to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Earlier on Thursday, RIA Novosti quoted a statement from the Russian Consulate General in Hurghada revealing that all the tourists on board were Russians.

"There were 45 tourists on board, including minors, as well as crew members. All of them were Russian citizens, tourists of the company Biblio Globus," the consulate's statement read, according to RIA Novosti.